"The Morning Chronicle" (London) Tuesday 2 October 1827
Although not about the Parish of Morvah it certainly relates to Cornish life and I am sure the people of Morvah were fans of the sport and may have even travelled to watch the event
The Contest took place at Penzance and the names of many fine Cornish wrestlers and the parishes they represented are mentioned.
Transcribed by Heather Carbis
WRESTLING
PENZANCE, SEPT. 27, 1827.- The grand wrestling at this place commenced about half-past ten on Monday forenoon, the 24th instant. The ring, fifty-five paces diameter, was formed in a field belonging to George JOHN Esq. of Rosemorran, adjoining the road leading to Newlyn. Mr. POLKINGHORNE, the champion of England, and Mr. Richard SAUNDRY, in his day the champion of the West, were the well chosen umpires. The high estimation in which each of these celebrated wrestlers is held, had great influence, and prevented any appeal from their decision. It was highly gratifying to behold two such men gracing the ring as judges ; the former in all the strength and vigour of middle life - the latter retaining in a considerable degree his strength, and entirely his unperturbed and manly mind on the verge of seventy.
To be a standard, the person is to throw two men.
At twelve o'clock the sight was very imposing - some thousands of the most athletic young men that the world can produce (each of whom would have honoured Leonidas at the Straits of Thermopylae, Buonaparte in passing the Bridge of Lodi, or even Wellington himself at the Battle of Waterloo), seated or standing, in perfect silence and order, and with intense interest, to witness and participate in a sport for which their ancestors were so justly renowned. It was impossible for any man, deserving that name, to behold the spectacle of so many manly youths assembled on such an occasion, without emotions of admiration and delight, and without gratulating himself as belonging to the species. It was a sight and ocassion, as connected with the maintenance of strength, courage, and agility, among the people, worthy the countenance, presence, encouragement, and support of Majesty itself.
On the first day, the 24th, a great deal of fine play was exhibited ; at the close 30 standards were made. To some of our readers the names of the wrestlers, and the parishes to which they belong, may be amusing, as Cornishmen, like Scotchmen, are scattered everywhere.
NAMES | NAMES |
1. John PELEW, St. Erth | 24. Wm. WILLIAMS, St. Just |
2. John GILBERT, St. Enoder | 25. John CURNOW, Trewednack |
3. Thos. QUICK, Ludgvan | 26. S. PRIDEAUX, Camborne |
4. Jas. ROOKE, Probus | 27. Joseph FOX, Gulval |
5. Jas. EDDY, St. Just | 28. Wm. RICHARDS, Ma_gan |
6. Michael COCK, St. Just | 29. Charles FRIGGENS, St. Just |
7. Wm. CHOLICK, St. Erth | 30. Rd. FALL, Crowan |
8. J. BERRYMAN, Trewednack | 31. J. WARREN, St. Just |
9. John MARTIN, ditto | 32. J. TREZISE, ditto |
10. Abm. RICHARDS, Paul | 33. R. MATHEWS, Gwinear |
11. T. TREWHELLA, Crowan | 34. J. PENBERTHY, St. Just |
12. John JAMES, St. Just | 35. J. TEMBY, Camborne |
13. John ROWE, Crowan | 36. J. PASCOE, Sithney |
14. Thos. CHAMPION, ditto | 37. J. KEMP, St. Ives |
15. Arch. CAZELEY, St. Just | 38. W. SEMMENS, St. Creet |
16. H. ROWE, Gulval | 39. E. FOX, St. Erth |
17. Matthew RODDA, Crowan | 40. W. TREMBATH, St, Just |
18. James CLEMENCE, St. Just | 41. R. CUNDY, St. Columb |
19. T. MAGER, Breage | 42. J. ROWE, Trewednack |
20. Wm. RODDA, Crowan | 43. E. BLEE, Breage |
21. H. MICHELL, St. IVES | 44. J. WARREN, jun., St. Just |
22. John RODDA, Crowan | 45. W. PRYOR, Sithney |
23. John WEBB, Breage | 46. Peter TEMBY, Crowan |
Six prize wrestlers were thrown in making the first 30 standards. The second day (the 25th) was very rainy, but the sport continued until the middle of the afternoon, when it terminated in the double play*, FRIGGENS throwing John ROWE. As this would have been the grand day, but for the rain, multitude of men were pouring in early from every direction.
DOUBLE PLAY. - PRYOR threw H. ROWE ; J. ROWE, MICHELL ; WEBB, CUNDY ; CLEMENCE, GILBERT ; FOX, MEAGER ; William RODDA, ROOKE ; COCK, TREWELLA ; BERRYMAN, CHOLICK ; M. RODDA, MARTIN ; BLEE, A. RICHARDS ; JAMES, TEMBY ; FRIGGENS, J. ROWE (Trewednack) ; EDDY, Wm. RICHARDS ; WARREN, PRIDEAUX ; FALL, QUICK ; MATHEWS, WILLIAMS ; PENBERTHY, E. FOX ; TREZISE, PASCOE ; SEMMENS, KEMP ; TREMBATH, J. RODDA ; WARREN jun., J. TEMBY ; CAZELEY, CHAMPION ; and CURNOW, PELEW.
TRIPLE PLAY. - WARREN threw John CORNOW ; COCK, BLEE ; EDDY, ROWE ; M. RODDA, CAZELEY ; BERRYMAN, JAMES ; TREMBATH, SEMMENS ; Wm. RODDA, TREZISE ; CLEMENCE, FOX ; FRIGGENS, FALL ; PENBERTHY, MATHEWS ; WARREN, WEBB.
QUADRUPLE PLAY. - BERRYMAN threw EDDY ; M. RODDA, WARREN jun. ; FRIGGENS, COCK ; WARREN, TREMBATH ; Wm. RODDA, John PENBERTHY ; CLEMENCE odd man by let.
QUINTUPLE PLAY. - CLEMENCE, M. RODDA ; WARREN, W. RODDA ; FRIGGENS, BERRYMAN ; these three tossed for the best prizes. First fell to CLEMENCE ; second to WARREN ; third to FRIGGENS ; BERRYMAN after that threw M. RODDA, and William RODDA gave in to him, he had therefore the fourth prize ; W RODDA the fifth, M RODDA the sixth.
PARISHES PRIZES The best man CLEMENCE St. Just 12 sovs. Second WARREN do. 7 do. Third FRIGGENS do. 4 do. Fourth BERRYMAN Trewednack 2 do. Fifth W. RODDA Crowan Gold-laced hat Sixth M. RODDA do. Silver-laced hat